Commercial Fishing

Topics:

Licensing
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Annual License Fees

  • Resident Commercial Fisher License - $202
  • Nonresident Commercial Fisher License - $402
  • Resident Commercial Fish Helper (16 years old and older) - $52
  • Nonresident Commercial Fish Helper (16 years old and older) - $102
  • Resident Commercial Roe Harvester - $102
  • Nonresident Commercial Roe Harvester - $3,502
  • Resident Commercial Roe Buyer - $252
  • Nonresident Commercial Roe Buyer - $502
  • Resident Commercial Turtle Harvester - $102
  • Nonresident Commercial Turtle Harvester - $402
  • Resident Commercial Turtle Helper (16 years old and older) - $52
  • Nonresident Commercial Turtle Helper (16 years old and older) - $102
  • Resident Commercial Turtle Buyer - $202
  • Nonresident Commercial Turtle Buyer - $402
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Aquaculture Units

An aquaculture unit license holder can possess, propagate, buy, sell, deal in, and transport the aquatic organisms produced from breeding stock legally acquired, including minnows. A license holder may own or operate a pond where guests or customers are allowed to fish for a fee, or take fish without regard to angling licenses, seasons, gear restrictions, or bag limits.

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Fish Importation

You must have a Fish Importation Permit to receive, propagate, or sell in the state any aquaculture species not listed in subrule 89.1(1) (Approved Aquaculture Species). Aquaculture units cannot import live fish, viable eggs, or semen from any species of the salmonids family (trout, salmon, or char) and ictalurid family (catfishes and bullheads), unless the owner or operator possesses a fish importation permit. 

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Bait Dealers

New crayfish harvest regulation on Storm Lake
To help reduce the spread of rusty crayfish to other waterbodies in Iowa, licensed bait dealers can no longer harvest any crayfish species from Storm Lake.

Bait Dealers - Retail

A licensed person who sells minnows, frogs, crayfish and salamanders retail for fish bait.

Bait Dealers - Wholesale

A licensed person who resells minnows, frogs, crayfish and salamanders wholesale for further distribution to retail customers.

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Commercial Fisher

A person may take fish for commercial purposes from the Mississippi and Missouri rivers.

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Commercial Turtle

Commercial Turtle Harvest Rules (effective 3/22/17)

You must have a commercial turtle license to take, possess, or sell live or dressed turtles. A commercial turtle license holder may sell live or dressed turtles. Nonresidents can only take turtles in Iowa from the Mississippi, Missouri, and Big Sioux rivers.

TIP Line

Turn In Poachers

Poachers are thieves who are stealing our fish and wildlife resources. Help us keep them out of business. If you see poaching, call 1-800-532-2020. 

Submit a TIP and learn more
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